Pedal and panel mechanism.



T, P. BROWN. PEDAL AND PANEL MECHANISM. APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 13, 1908.

Patented Nov. 9, I909.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THEODORE I. BRO'WN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SIMPLEX PIANO PLAYER COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, I /IASSACHUSETTS, A COREOBATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PEDAL AND PANEL MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, THEODORE P. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at lVorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Pedal and Panel Mechanism, of i which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to combination musical instruments.

The principal objects thereof are to provide a simple form of folding pedal locking and releasing mechanism, so constructed that the latter can be operated to simultaneously release the pedals and force them forward and so located that it will be exposed in convenient position for operation when the panel is opened, also to provide a simple and convenient form of panel and improved means for operating it, and to connect it up in such a way that the entire panel can be removed very easily without disturbing or unlocking the pedals.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is atransverse sectional view of part of an upright combination piano case, showing one way in which this invention may be applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a front view thereof. Fig. 3 is a front view of the inside, showing the pedals folded into the case, and Fig. 1 is a section on the line 414; of Fig. 3.

The invention is shown as applied to an upright piano case 10 having an opening which is adapted to be closed by a panel. This panel comprises uprights 11, and folding members 12 which are pivotally connected as by hinges 13. The uprights have vertical guide grooves 14 and at the bottom of the lower member 12 are pins 15 adapted to slide in said grooves. Back of the panel at the top and secured to the uprights is a cross piece 16 to which the upper panel is connected by hinges 18. The panel is locked by a spring latch 17 which is secured to the overhanging part of the case. This latch may conveniently be of wood and it holds the panel removably in place. hen it is sprung up the entire panel can be removed as a whole Without disturbing any of the other parts.

The panel is opened by pulling on a hanl Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 13,

Patented Nov. 9, 1909.

1908. Serial No. 448,307.

dle 20 on an upright 11, to which is attached 1 a cord or other flexible member 21 which :asses over a wheel 22 on the upright and another wheel on the cross piece 16 to the bottom of the. lower member 12 where it is secured between the pins 15. lVhen this handle is pulled out the members 12 assume the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and expose the pedal mechanism. The member 21 is supported by and removable with the panel.

Inside the case is shown a fixed frame 25 carrying the bellows 26, connected with which is the wind chest 27. Pivoted to this frame are links 28 supporting the pedals 29, and connected with the movable bellows leaf are links 30, pivoted at a point below the pivots of the links 28, so that when the pedal mechanism is folded into the case the pedals will be drawn down at the rear to substantially vertical position.

On the wind chest is a bracket 31, carrying a spring latch 32 which is shaped at the end to receive the shaft 33 of the pedals and lock them automatically. In order to disengage the shaft from this latch and simultaneously force the pedals out so that they will drop out of the case, a lever provided having a downwardly projecting arm 36 in position to be tripped by the foot when the panel is open. On the other end the lever has a cam-shaped arm 37 adapted to engage the shaft 33 and force it out. These parts are so arranged that when the panels are removed they are not affected in any way. The pedals also may be unlocked and pulled out by means of outwardly and downwardly projecting lips 10 on the lower side, and preferably integral with the metal plates a1.

While I have shown one embodiment of this invention, 1 am aware that it may be applied to other types of musical instruments and otherwise modified by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details shown, but

YVhat I do claim is 1. The combination with a musical instrument case having an opening, of a removable panel therefor comprising an upright and foldable members connected with the upright, and a spring fixed to the case and 2. The combination with a musical instrument case having an opening, of a removable panel therefor comprising an upright and toldable members near the upright, a spring fixed to the casing and having a notch en gaging the top of the upright for holding the panel in position, and a cross piece back of the panel and means supported by the upright for folding the members of the panel.

3. The combination With a musical instrument case having an opening, of a panel therefor comprising an upright, foldable members adjacent thereto, a flexible member connected with the foldable members for operating them, a handle on the upright connected With the flexible member and means for removably holding the upright in position.

, 4. The combination with a musical instrument case having an opening, of a panel therefor, means for opening the panel and folding it at the top of the opening, a folding pedal mechanism, means for locking the pedal mechanism behind the panel, and means whereby the panel can be removed as an entirety without unlocking or disturbing the pedal mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

THEODORE P. BROWN.

Witnesses:

ALBERT E. FAY, MARY E. REGAN. 

